As soon as I went down to my classroom I just stood there for the longest time. I keep phasing out mentally. I did this at dinner last night with a friend. I guess I am having a hard time adjusting to the fact that I am seeing all of my dreams actually come true. I am also scared that at any minute someone is going to say, "Hahaha j/k! You don't get to be a teacher anymore."
After coming to and realizing that I can not just stand there all day, I decided I would rearrange the furniture first. I started with the student desks and played around with several formations until settling on six rows of four and pushing the desks together in twos with enough space to walk in between them as seen in this photo:
As soon as I was satisfied with their placement, I cleaned each desk off with cleaning spray. I want to make a mental note to mark where the desks are, maybe with a marker on the ground or a small piece of tape. I plan on moving the desks frequently for group work or discussion circles, so I want to make sure the kids can put them back exactly how I have them.
I then moved my desk and small filing cabinet from one back corner to the side of the room. My mom suggested this arrangement, because I would have a clear view of the front door- and I agreed.
I put the flat file where the desk was and moved my small group table into the center of the back of the room.
As soon as all of the furniture was arranged, I began the hour and a half process of cleaning. I wiped out every drawer, counter, and cabinet. It was really disgusting, but thankfully clean as a whistle now.
After I was grossly sweaty and tired, I left to come home and gather up a load of things to bring into the classroom.
It was almost all items for my desk:
My rug...a book shelf will go here soon:
The only thing from home I brought in these pictures is a statue of a Jim Shore Teacher Minnie Mouse that my husband bought me about two years ago.
Then, I put out just a few things on this counter...note the argyle tissue box
While working, two teachers came in to introduce themselves to me, as did three members of the janitorial staff. They were all really nice and welcoming- telling me several times that if I needed anything to just ask.
While talking to one of them, (who I had actually met before) I told her that I was a former student of this school and so was she. We talked a little bit about how coming to this school felt like coming home.
I am teaching 8th grade ELA this year which is reading and language arts as one class. Funny enough, I had English in the exact same classroom that I will be teaching in that I had as an 8th grader. Even funnier, this same classroom was the classroom that I met my best friend for the first time on the first day of school.
Life is the funniest thing sometimes.
I still have a LOT left to do with my short 11 days until I get real live students of my very own. I am scared and nervous, but excited and optimistic.
